Description
Ornemental ivy – Hedera helix ‘Star’
In a nutshell
Ornamental ivy, Hedera helix ‘Star’, is a vigorous plant with branched stems, forming large masses of light to dark green foliage.
The sagittate leaf is composed of 5 lobes, the central lobe being very long, the two lateral lobes point forward to give the leaf the appearance of a fork.
It can be used as a climber or as a powerful ground cover. It produces annual shoots of more than 1 meter and quickly covers a given surface.
History
This cultivar is a mutation of ‘Pittsburgh’. It has been known in the United States since the 1940s. It is believed to have been introduced by Louis Hahn Nurseries in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Technical leaflet - Hedera helix 'Star'
Botanical information
- Family: Araliaceae
- Genus: Hedera
- Species: helix
- Cultivar: ‘Star’
- Pierot classification: ivy with bird’s foot leaves
- Foliage stage: juvenile
- Origin of the species: Europe, from Spain to Norway, but little on the Atlantic coast.
- Origin of the cultivar: ‘Pittsburgh’ sport, introduced by Louis Hahn Nurseries, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Description of Hedera helix 'Star'
- Shape: stocky, spreading
- Number of lobes: 5 lobes in general
- Leaf length: 8 cm
- Leaf width: 6 cm
- Leaf color: light green to dark green
- Vein color: light green
- Stem and petiole color: purple-green
- Hairs: stellar, 3 to 5 branches
Tips for planting, growing and maintaining Hedera helix 'Star'
- Exposure: shade, partial shade, sun
- Hardiness: -15°C
- Soil moisture: fresh soil
- Soil pH: neutral or calcareous
- Soil type: all
- Soil richness: ordinary or humus-rich
- Use: ground cover, climbing, pots, planters, topiary, houseplant
- Development: vigorous, fast
- Size : once a year
- Pests: very rare (red spiders, scale insects)
- Diseases: very rare (spots on the leaves)
A page from my little ivy encyclopedia
The question of circumstance…
What is a sagittate leaf?
The vocabulary used by botanists to describe plants is very rich. For leaves alone, you can come across dozens of specific terms.
The word ‘sagittate’ comes from the Latin sagitta which means arrow. A sagittate leaf is a leaf whose blade is shaped like an arrow. Similarly, a leaf with a sagittate base is a leaf whose base is shaped like an arrow.
Ivy in literature
“She leaned against the old ivy-covered wall, her thoughts lost in the twilight. ”









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